D-Day Minus One Month to D-Day, pgs. 63-76 Summary and Analysis

Howard received his orders to take and hold the bridges at Benouville and Ranville on May 2. The 5th Para Brigade would drop northeast of Ranville and the 3rd Para Brigade would land south of the Le Mesnil forest while the British Third Infantry would be heading for Caen. The Para Troops would head for the bridges and should arrive by 0230 hours. They would be under Howard's command until the community officers of the 7th Para Battalion arrived. Poett told Howard that he would develop his own plans for training and the capture of the bridges. Howard was not allowed to leave the building with the orders, maps or photos, but could study them whenever he wanted. Nor could he tell his men about the plans.

Howard was...